SolidWorks® 3D CAD Software

SolidWorks Premium

A no-compromise solution for the engineer who wants it all. SolidWorks Premium combines the capabilities of SolidWorks Professional with powerful simulation and design validation toolsets, as well as advanced wire and pipe routing functionality.

SolidWorks Professional

SolidWorks Professional builds on the capabilities of SolidWorks Standard. It introduces data management, photo realistic rendering, and a sophisticated components and parts library.

SolidWorks Standard

A powerful 3D design solution for rapid creation of parts, assemblies and 2D drawings with minimal training. Application-specific tools for sheet metal, weldments, surfacing, mold tool and die make it easy to deliver best-in-class designs. Unlock the benefits of 3D with SolidWorks Standard.

9 Criteria for Choosing a 3D CAD System, by L. Stephen Wolfe, P. E.

In the discrete manufacturing industries, between one-third and one-half of the CAD systems in use today are 3D. The rest are used for 2D computer-aided drafting. Although some tasks will always be done more efficiently with 2D CAD, these figures suggest many organizations have yet to employ 3D methods.

The good news for potential second-half adopters is that they can benefit from the wisdom and experience of engineers who've been using 3D methods for 10 or 20 years. This white paper is a compilation of 9 criteria that users of 2D CAD should consider when shopping for their first 3D system.